The sound of twigs snapping brought Frederick to his feet instantly. He couldn’t see anything, and there didn’t seem to be any lights or signs of human activity nearby. Coyotes, perhaps? Please, please let it be that or nothing at all… Frederick pulled out his dagger and picked up the wooden sword. I’m not great at using two weapons, but I need anything I can use. Frederick broke into a cold sweat. I can only pray it’s not wolves.

The horse didn’t react to the noises of twigs snapping and bushes rustling at all. It’s likely asleep, but whatever is out there is still being cautious of it. He raised his dagger and opened his mouth wide to breathe in as much air as possible, filling his lungs. “YOU WORMS, SHOW YOURSELVES! TO SNEAK UP ON A CHILD, HAVE YOU NO SHAME?!” Frederick bellowed defiantly, projecting his voice with as much force as his small, developing young lungs could muster.

It took not even ten seconds for someone to step out of the shadows of the trees and into the moonlit clearing. However, he was far from alone. Two… four… no, there are far too many. At least ten of them, possibly more hiding out just in case. “You’re not the ones from before huh? So you must be… highwaymen, I’d wager?”

Another man stepped out of the treeline, making the group Frederick noticed at least eleven strong. This one seemed more composed than the others, wearing a blank expression with eyes that seemed to reflect nothing. Dead eyes like that of a killer who has no hope. Damn… this is worse than when I was held at gunpoint by a mugger who was on drugs, back in my early thirties. I only escaped because I was lucky enough for someone to distract him back then… What can I do with this child's body of mine, even if I’m armed?

“You have guts, kid,” the leader spoke apathetically. “Unfortunately, they’ll be on the ground soon. Unless you hand over everything you have willingly, including the clothes on your back.”

They have no intention of sparing me either way, Frederick reasoned, seeing that the surrounding robbers were grinning deviously. But I should play along - deceptions in my best interest here. “Alright. I can’t win against more than a couple people, regardless. Can I keep my horse at least? It’s not mine to begin with and they’re probably out looking for it already, so it would be a shame if the owners found you guys instead of me.”

Something changed in the leader’s expression at that moment. This looks bad. Frederick sheathed his knife slowly, and then re-belted the sheath. He’s probably going to kill me even before taking anything. Whatever I said wrong, I guess it’s do or die now..

However, the bandit leader sheathed his sword. A curved blade. And then he unwrapped several layers of cloth from his face, revealing his grisly visage. Terrible burns over murky, dark green eyes. Where it’s not burned, his skin is quite pale… fallen nobility, maybe? However… It's hard to tell if his hair color is black naturally or because of the fires that burned him. It seems quite dirty and greasy, even for a peasant or highwayman.

Frederick noticed a multitude of fairly long, wide scars from cuts and slices that intersected with his burned flesh as well, and his left eye had a fair amount of the surrounding flesh burned away entirely, revealing the musculature beneath and exposing his entire eyeball. Any normal child would have instantly thrown up seeing this… but this is merely a slight disturbance to me. He’s no doubt judged my reaction already… What should I do? “They’re no ordinary robbers…” Frederick remarked before he realized he’d even spoken his thoughts aloud.

The leader gave a slight smile. “Astute… far too astute for a mere child. Everyone else, stand down, as I have questions that need answers,” the leader directed. Everyone else stepped back into the darkness of the trees until they vanished from sight. The leader then stared directly at Frederick. “What are you? Are you even mortal?”

Frederick was taken aback by this line of questioning. I have a feeling that if he senses deception here, he will kill me for certain. “I… don’t know. I have already died once, however. Here I am regardless.”

The leader tilted his head. “You died before? And what was the result?”

I shouldn’t give the full details, but I shouldn’t lie here, either. “I was born again, as a newborn infant. It’s been a while since then, though, so I’m not sure if it will work out again as it did before.”

The leader seemed to be evaluating something. “Born again, eh? Where did you learn that phrase?”

I’m not sure what he’s getting at here, but it must be that the phrase exists in the language of this world, as well. “I lived a long life previously. I heard it then.”

The leader took out a whistle. “Cover your ears.”

Frederick put his hands over his ears, and the leader blew the whistle very forcefully. The shrill, sharp screech of the whistle hurt Frederick’s ears even despite him covering them well. But he soon sensed that things in the area had become less quiet… insects began to make noise again. Did he just… “Did you just send them all away.”

The leader nodded. “My name is Eric Tennels. Or at least, it was. You came from Earth as well, didn’t you?”

Earth?! This man is also reincarnated? Frederick couldn’t hide his shock to learn this. So I’m not even the first one to be sent here, eh? I suppose it was arrogant to think I was even a little special… “Yes… It seems you’ve been around here for a while as well, though. How many years?”

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Eric shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I just woke up in this body yesterday. I’ve had to catch on quickly to my situation, just to survive as the ruthless leader of this bandit group.”

Impossible! Or… I would say that, if this world’s rules made any kind of sense to begin with. “Weird. If we were reincarnated at different times, and in different ways, that means there could be others who were brought here in different situations as well. This world is far more dangerous and unpredictable than I gave it credit for.”

Eric closed his right eye and covered his left with his hand. They must be trying to picture or remember something that requires such focus that they need to block their own sight. Frederick pondered on what to do. I should probably try to trade what information I can with him, as it is undoubtedly valuable to them and will likely give them a reason to keep me around and alive longer.

“Eric, was it? My name in this world isn’t really what’s important between us. Instead, I’ll give you my original name. I was Matthew Miller in my previous life, and I died at the age of seventy-eight. In my time here, I’ve learned that time not only functions differently here, but also that common folk don’t measure time precisely at all. It was quite difficult and took years to learn the time difference between this world and Earth.”

Eric’s right eye opened a bit and he removed his hand from his left eyeball. “What do you want from me, since you’re telling me this?”

Frederick stood his ground, but knew he couldn’t win against Eric if they fought. It was obvious. Fortune favors the bold, or so I pray right now. “There are many other important things I know about this world that can only be learned through experience or study, though it’ll take some time to impart those to you. I know I’m not in a great position to negotiate, but would you agree to let me live if I agree to share as much knowledge as I can whenever I’m able to? I have many goals in this life, and I might need my head still attached to my shoulders in order to achieve them.”

Eric seemed to think about it for a few moments. Yet, that’s clearly an act. By his actions, I can already tell that his decision has been made. I just need to wait for the answer. “I agree. That’s not a bad idea. However… how do I know you won’t just run off and never come back?”

Of course he’d want some assurance. However, this is easy. “I won’t say exactly where I live, but the nearby city is two days by horse northward from my home. The village to the south is about half a day. We can meet somewhere near the village… Perhaps the nearest grove to the east of the village would be convenient? Also, I’ll need about one lunar cycle between our meetings before I can give you any significant updates.”

Eric seemed to consider this for a bit. “Despite my appearances, I’m not actually cruel enough to involve someone else’s family. I was a family man myself… once. Anyway, if that’s what you want to do, we can meet up and talk shop in whatever this world’s version of a lunar cycle is… well, how many days is that here?”

He didn’t even have time to figure that out since he was reincarnated today… he’s really quick to adapt, however. “There are ten “months” in a “year” here. Each “month” is one hundred “days”. If you have more questions…” Frederick began to explain, but since he’d been watching the area behind Eric, he noticed as the shadow of someone approached. “We’ll have to pick up our talk later. We both are very busy. I suppose for your sake, you can name me your “spy” or “lookout” or whatever suits your needs.”

Eric didn’t bother to turn around. “Hanthorn. What is so urgent that you’d interrupt?”

Frederick’s eyes widened. He was able to not only sense the person’s presence, but also exactly who it was without even turning around? I wonder how he did that… enhanced senses, perhaps? I’ll have to look into that. Frederick took one step back and gave a short bow. “I’ll have a fair deal of good news later, boss.”

Eric nodded. “Allow the child to pass. He’s our ‘eyes and ears’, for now… at least until we find someone better at what he does, or he makes a foolish mistake.”

Hanthorn, a gruff man with a beard who wore two enormous axes strapped to his back, merely shrugged in agreement before holding up a fist and then waving his other hand once forward to signal. The other bandits gathered and then grouped with Eric. “I’ll be seeing your work shortly. Don’t disappoint me.”

I know that’s for more than just looks. He’s expecting a lot from me because he also believes I’m capable… Whether or not that’s true, just receiving this kind of chance is a victory for me. “I won’t. Count on me.”

Eric nodded, and signaled two muscular bandits to come to attention. “Make sure my new talent safely exits this forest. Make sure to bring any wild animals you’re forced to kill on the way, we could use the extra meat and pelts. Try not to break too many bones on those animals or we may lose materials.”

The bandits saluted Eric. The taller, slightly less muscular of the two spoke first. “Of course, leader! We will be certain to carry out your orders perfectly.”

Eric glared at the tall bandit murderously. Clearly not something he wanted me to hear, Frederick mused. “If you cannot… I will find someone else. You’re merely replaceable brigands, so keep your wits about you.”

The two bandits began to tremble in fear as if they were faced with an enormous, bloodthirsty predator. His reputation alone is enough to strike fear into his subordinates. That glare lacked any actual blood lust, or else my child’s body would have also been instinctively affected at this distance. Even in the fight with my father, his killing intent was much more tangible. Frederick walked away casually, waving on his way out.

The two bandits followed Frederick, staying close enough to react to danger but not so close that they were overbearing. After Frederick entered the forest, he turned to thank them, but they were already walking back the way they came. I suppose their generosity only goes as far as completing their orders. I can’t blame them, though… who would trust a suspicious child who is suddenly favored by your ‘leader’?

Frederick took a mental note of the things he had to do to survive in the immediate future, and prayed that the unfortunate encounters he had to have wouldn’t ever overlap. If I am ever found to be a thorn in the side to those with greater power or influence, my entire family and I will likely be silenced permanently.

Frederick tightened his resolve as he repacked his supplies and prepared to depart with his horse. I cannot let that happen, no matter what. No matter how many corpses I have to step over on my way, I’ll protect those precious to me in this life. No matter how many people I must harm or kill, I’ll shield those closest to me.

Frederick let out a sigh of relief once he mounted the horse and it began moving at a reasonably-quick trot. However, I need to become a master of manipulation, so good at deceiving those who would use me for their own gain to the extent that even I won’t know the difference between the truth and a bold-faced lie, if not for knowing my own thoughts.